A HOMELESS charity which has been running in Hounslow for 20 years will close at the end of this month unless it can find a new base.

Mission in Hounslow Trust (MIHT) has provided hot showers and food to hundreds of rough sleepers since being set up in 1992 by Colin and Madeleine Windsor.

However, the charity has outgrown its current premises at Hounslow Salvation Army Corps, in Inwood Road, Hounslow, after a rapid rise in the number of street sleepers.

In the last three years alone, the number of people turning up every Saturday, between 6-8pm, has more than doubled from about a dozen to more than 30.

The husband-and-wife duo and their team of volunteers believe the building, which has just one shower and one toilet, is no longer fit for purpose.

They will continue to run the weekly drop-in service there until Saturday, March 31, but will then have to close for good if they cannot find more suitable premises.

"We're so grateful to everyone who has helped out over the years, be it by volunteering or donating clothes and food," Mr Windsor told the Chronicle.

"We would still be able to run a drop-in centre if we could find another building but this service has simply become too oversubscribed for our current base.

"Homelessness seems to be a growing problem in Hounslow and I think you will find more families struggling as money continues to get tighter.

"As far as we're aware this is the borough's only drop-in centre specifically for homeless people which is open throughout the year so it would be a huge shame to close."

MIHT has helped hundreds of homeless people across Hounslow over the years. As well as the Saturday evening drop-in sessions, it previously ran temporary accommodation and was chosen as the mayor's charity of the year in 2001.

The Chronicle reported in January how churches in Chiswick were opening their doors to homeless people throughout winter but that project is also set to finish at the end of March.

If you think you can help MIHT, email hounslowhomelesscentre@hounslowmission.org.uk or call 020 8744 5333.

COUNCIL bosses have urged the Indian High Commission to do more to help homeless people living under the M4 flyover in Heston.

Up to 50 people are now sleeping rough at the site in Heston Road, near the junction with Winchester Avenue, with no sanitation or heating.

As the Chronicle reported in January, the majority of those seeking shelter are believed to be Indian nationals with no legal documents allowing them to live or work in the UK.

The council provided some emergency accommodation during the recent cold snap and the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Southall has been offering meals.

Council officers are working with the police, the UK Borders Agency and homeless charity Thamesreach to help them return home but claim to have been frustrated in their efforts by the Indian High Commission.

Councillor Steve Curran, cabinet member for housing, said: "We are making all efforts to secure emergency travel documents with the Indian High Commission.

"However, requesting such papers can take a considerable period of time as investigations can be complex. We would urge the Indian High Commission to speed up the process to ensure these people are able to return home safely."